Computerized imaging of sporting trophies

ABSTRACT

A method of generating and storing three-dimensional digital data indicative of a sporting trophy is provided. The method may be implemented in relation to a wide variety of sporting trophy applications. A sportsman can provide a sporting trophy to a scanning system to obtain three-dimensional image data relative to the sporting trophy. Sporting-relevant measurements can be computed based on the stored three-dimensional image data.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application is based on and claims the benefit of U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/584,908, filed Jul. 1, 2004,the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Devices are known for creating three dimensional (“3D”) imagerepresentations of items having complex shapes. For example,ShapeGrabber Inc. of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada designs, manufacturers andmarkets 3D laser scanners and 3D laser digitizers for 3D inspection,modeling and reverse engineering. The same company provides scannerservices on a project basis. Because of their high-tech and costlynature 3D imaging systems, such as ShapeGrabber, are generally limitedto industrial and business applications due to their higher cost.

The technology that the typical sportsman (e.g., a hunter, a trapper, afisherman) possesses is generally limited to much less costly devices,such as Global Positioning System (GPS) systems. Further, in the processof recording and display of sporting trophies, or portions thereof,sportsmen generally rely on relatively primitive means such as having amount of the original animal, or portion thereof, created. Further,sportsmen often use hand measurements to implement trophy scoringsystems for comparison, categorization, and/or ranking of their sportingtrophy. As defined herein “sporting trophy” means any non-livingbiological specimen obtained by a sportsman while engaged in theirsport.

Most sportsmen (e.g., hunters, fishermen) participate in theirrespective sports with the goal of catching or taking animals withspecific characteristics. On the occasion of acquiring a trophy animal(e.g., a deer with a large set of antlers, a fish with a great weightand/or length), sportsmen typically seek to record and display theirachievements. This is generally done through the use of “mounts” (i.e.,taking the trophy to a taxidermist) of their sporting trophy and in somecircumstances with the use of scoring systems for comparison andranking. However, this process requires that the original, or at least amold thereof, be utilized. Thus, in cases of intentional or accidentaldisposal (e.g., through destruction or theft) of the original sportingtrophy, a sportsman is unable to replace the trophy with an identicalcopy. Additionally, if the sporting trophy is damaged or otherwiseflawed, the resulting mount, or mold thereof, would also contain thedefects of the original.

Another major aspect related to sporting trophies pertains to scoringand ranking systems. For many years, sportsmen have been utilizingscoring systems to establish a numerical basis for categorizing andranking sporting trophies such as antlers (e.g., whitetail deer antlers,elk antlers, moose antlers). Examples of such systems, illustratively inthe context of deer antlers, include the Boone and Crocket, and the Popeand Young Score Charts. Determining the score of a set of deer antlersusing the Boone and Crockett Scoring system, as well as other scoringsystems, generally comprises measuring various characteristics such asthe length and spacing of each tine, and the length and circumference ofthe main rack beams. Further, many scoring systems for sporting trophiescomprise a number of categories (e.g., typical and non-typical antlers),each of which may be scored differently. For example, antlers ranked inthe “typical” categories are given a higher score for symmetry.

As a result, the process of measuring and scoring sporting trophies isvery labor intensive and requires precise measurement. The determinationof accurate and consistent scores is very time-consuming and difficultas a great number of characteristics must be taken into account. Theimplementation of conventional scoring systems by hand leads to thepossibility of error and/or ambiguity resulting from human error and/orlack of precision. Thus, there exists a need to implement economical andconsistent systems of scoring sporting trophies. Further, a consistent,economical, and precise means for reproduction and/or analysis ofportions of animals for sportsmen is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method of generating and storing three-dimensional digital dataindicative of a sporting trophy is provided. The method may beimplemented in relation to a wide variety of sporting trophyapplications. A sportsman can provide a sporting trophy to a scanningsystem to obtain three-dimensional image data relative to the sportingtrophy. Sporting-relevant measurements can be computed based on thestored three-dimensional image data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for obtaining digital dataindicative of a sporting trophy.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a system for obtaining digitaldata indicative of a set of antlers.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram chart illustrating an embodiment of the presentinvention comprising authenticating image data obtained from a sportingtrophy.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of the presentinvention utilizing a CAT scan.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the presentinvention utilizing a camera.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of the presentinvention utilizing a kit to acquire a physical representation of asporting trophy.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1illustrates a system 100 pertaining to the imaging, reproduction and/oranalysis of sporting trophy 110. For the purpose of economizingdescription of aspects of the present invention, many embodimentsdescribed herein will be discussed in the context of imaging,measurement, and reproduction of deer antlers. However, it should beunderstood that similar inventive concepts can be applied to otheranimals and/or other portions thereof.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, 3D imagescanning system 112 creates a 3D representation of sporting trophy 110.In one embodiment, image scanning system 112 comprises a machine orservice, such as those offered by ShapeGrabber, Inc., enabling afree-formed scan of surfaces associated with sporting trophy 110.Accordingly, a 3D representation of trophy 110 is generated. However, itis important to note that any suitable system can be employed to obtain3D image data of sporting trophy 110.

After sporting trophy 110 has been reduced to digital image form, imagedata measurement 114 produces and collects precise measurements of thesporting trophy based on the image data. In accordance with oneembodiment, a 3D grid is constructed around the sporting trophy in orderto provide a context for precise measurement. In one embodiment, thegrid is divided into measurement portions that are hundredths of an inchto scale.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, afterthe image data has been collected, the image data is stored on acomputerized server 116 for access as needed. Server 116 is one exampleof the three-dimensional image data being stored on a computer-readablemedium. Other examples include storing the data on media such as aCD-ROM, or a memory stick, for example. In one aspect, the data onserver 116 is accessible from remote locations, such as over theInternet. In another aspect, computation module 122 catalogs and ranksthe image data in the context of previously stored data associated withother sporting trophies. For example, the sporting trophy can be rankedbased on size or quality of incorporated features. Different sets ofrankings can be generated for different categories such as geography,age of hunter, and the like. Further, the ranking of the antlers can bebased, at least in part, on a selected scoring system.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, theimage data (or corresponding data derived therefrom) is supplied to amodel generation system 118. Model generation is a machine or othersuitable system that creates a model representation based on the imagedata. For example, distilled data, such as a vectorized representationof the sporting trophy in three-dimensional space using polarcoordinates, can be generated based on the 3D image data. That distilleddata, or the image data itself, can be provided to replica generationsystem 120, such as a Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) cuttingsystem in order to carve or otherwise machine a highly accuraterepresentation of the originally scanned sporting trophy. In one aspect,the image data is copied from server 116 and provided to system 120 tocreate a model representation of the subject of the image data. Itshould be noted that the present invention is not limited to a CNCmachine. Other devices such as plastic molding devices, plasma cuttersand the like can be employed in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, modelgeneration system 118 can be utilized to correct damage or otherimperfections in sporting trophy 110. In some instances, the sportingtrophy may be damaged during the hunt or under other circumstances. Forexample, in the context of fishing, a fish may have been injured (e.g.,bit by another fish) resulting in exterior blemishes. In theseinstances, the sporting trophy is less appealing or desirable because itis not in a pristine condition. Accordingly, model generation 118 mayutilized to digitally correct flaws in the digital image of sportingtrophy 110 before replica generation system 120 creates a replica ofsporting trophy 110.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the 3Ddigital representation (or a corresponding data set based thereon) isprovided to replica generation system 120 (e.g., a CNC (or another)machine) in order to create a negative image of the originally scannedobject. In other words, a mold can be formed in a block of material.These molds can be utilized to create a synthetic representation for anypurpose such as, but not limited to, the creation of candles in theshape of the antlers.

FIG. 2 illustrates system 200 for the imaging, reproduction and/oranalysis of deer antlers in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. Antlers 210 are scanned by image scanner 212 and theresultant 3D image data are supplied to image data measurement andcollection system 214. The image data corresponding to antlers 210 canbe supplied to model generation system 218. Model generation is,illustratively, substantially similar to model generation system 118described in the context of FIG. 1. In one embodiment, model generationsystem 218 is used to create a substantially exact replica of antlers210. In one example, the antlers of the World Record Whitetail Deer arescanned in order to create a corresponding 3D image data set (e.g., animage data set accurate down to a hundredth of an inch relative to theoriginal antler). The image data (or a corresponding set of image data)can be provided to a cutting machine, or other suitable machine, whichis programmed to create a model of the originally provided antler.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, thedescribed duplication process will enhance the enjoyment of “shedhunting.” Deer shed their antlers every year and it is common for peopleto hunt the sheds. If an individual who is shed hunting finds a largesingle of a pair of antlers, it becomes desirable for the individual tocreate a synthetic model of the other side of the pair of antlers. Inthis situation model generation system 218 can be utilized to reduce thefound single antler to a 3D representation. That image data is thenmanipulated in order to create a data set that represents a relativemirror image representation of the originally scanned side of the foundsingle antler. For example, if the individual found a right-hand sideantler, a 3D data representation is produced for the left-hand sideantler. Once an image data set has been created for the missing antler,the data can be utilized to create a model of the missing antler, or ofthe entire rack.

As discussed above, in the context of hunting, fishing, and other sportsinvolving the capture or taking of animals, many systems are implementedto score, rank, and/or categorize sporting trophies. For instance, deerantlers are ranked by systems such as the Boone and Crocket and the Popeand Young Score Charts. In accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention, the image data corresponding to antlers 210 are supplied toserver 216. Server 216 may be any suitable computing system, implementedover a network or locally, for performing computation, sorting, and/oranalysis of the image data. In one embodiment, scoring system 222 isutilized to implement a desired scoring system (e.g., Boone and CrocketScore Chart, Pope and Young Score Chart). It is important to note thatany suitable scoring systems, such as simple size and weightmeasurements, are within the scope of the present invention.Additionally, specific sporting trophy measurements and scoringcalculations can be performed using computed total volumetricdisplacement calculations as well as standard linear measurements. Thisautomated total volumetric calculation can be performed with respect toany suitable sporting trophy and is not limited to antlers of hornedanimals. Any suitable method can be used to calculate the totalvolumetric displacement.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, rankingsystem 224 enables a wider range of scoring of sporting trophies.Ranking system 224 can be locally implemented and provides rankingservices for antlers that have been scanned by the same image scanner.However, ranking system 224 can also be implemented over a network, suchas the Internet, to provide ranking services for large geographic area(e.g., county, state).

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, datacan be divided into any of a number of subclasses includingstate-by-state results, or for sporting categories such as 3/3, 4/4,5/5, etc. Rankings can be provided on an Internet site that can beaccessed by the public at large. In one embodiment, a centralized entityis responsible for the website and is the official organization forrecording results. That organization creates the digital imagerepresentations for record keeping purposes. For example, theorganization can provide an indication of a record for the largest 3/3,4/4, 5/5, etc. in each individual state. In one embodiment, the recordholder in each class in each state is provided with a reward. Given thecentralized record keeping, there becomes an incentive for a hunter tobring his or her trophy to the organization for imaging and accuratemeasurement.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, obtainingimage data corresponding to a 3D scanned sporting trophy includesauthenticating the image data. Illustrated in FIG. 3, a sporting trophy310 is scanned and image data is obtained, as indicated at block 312.Image authentication 314 is created and issued relative to the digitalimage data of sporting trophy 310. Authentication can take any suitableform. Authentication may be as simple as placing a computer-readablemedium containing the three-dimensional image data in a sealed package,which package is used to indicate authenticity. Additionally, theauthentication can be provided in the form of digital data stored on thecomputer-readable medium. Yet another form of authentication can beprovided by encrypting the three-dimensional data, and controllingaccess to keys for decryption to allowed persons such as the sportsmanand/or approved taxidermists. Image data storage 316 may include storingthe image authentication information along with the corresponding imagedata. In one embodiment, when the sportsman brings his or her sportingtrophy for imaging and recordal, they are provided with a certificate ofauthenticity issued by the scanning entity. The certificate can includean image of the antlers along with information pertaining to theresponsible hunter (e.g., social security number, hunting licensenumber, etc) as well as relevant scanning data such as the date and timeof scanning, machine used for scanning, technician information whoperformed the scan, etc.

It is believed that taxidermists may collectively form an alliance andan agreement to not mount antlers for hunters who do not have acertificate of authentication. This may even reduce poaching. In oneaspect, even if the antlers were mounted by a taxidermist who does notrequire an authenticity certificate, purchasers of antlers will becomeaccustomed to requiring certificates for enhanced value. In the longrun, antlers not associated with a certificate will lose their value.The organization that issues these certificates of authenticity will beable to reissue certificates if necessary (e.g., if lost or stolen).

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of a system that can be utilized to createa 3D image based on multiple two-dimensional (“2D”) images in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention. First, a CAT (ComputedAxial Tomography) scanned image 412 is conducted of a sporting trophy410. A CAT scan involves using computers to generate multiple flat,(i.e., two-dimension) x-ray images one slice at a time. The multiple 2Dimages are collected (step 414) and used to generate a 3D image (step416). The CAT scan images can be utilized to support asportsmen-oriented scoring system based on bone structure, or any othersuitable internal structure of the trophy. In one embodiment, such aprocess may be utilized for the scoring of fish. The image datagenerated from a CAT scan image can be utilized for any of the purposesdescribed above in relation to the scanning equipment provided byShapeGrabber Inc. For example, CAT scan images can be utilized as thebasis for creating model representations of scanned objects. The scanscan also be utilized for measurement purposes, the measurements beingutilized in a record keeping system such as the ones described above inaccordance with aspects of the present invention.

In another embodiment of the present invention, measurements arecollected based on a plurality of two-dimensional images. FIG. 5 is adiagrammatic view of a camera 512 provided with a laser range finder.Camera 512 may be any suitable device or system for acquiring an imageof sporting trophy 510. When a two-dimensional image of a target,illustratively sporting trophy 510, is collected, the distance 514 ofcamera 512 from the target is simultaneously obtained form the rangefinder. In accordance with one embodiment, image measurement software514 can then be applied to measure an element in the picture (e.g.,score a set of antlers) based, in part, on the distance 514 from thetarget 510. For example, if a hunter is standing six feet away from atarget and takes a picture, the range finder will determine that thehunter is six feet away. The software can then analyze a picture takenby the hunter in the context of the distance from the target in order toproduce a relatively exact measurement of something within the picture(e.g., the antlers).

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, thesportsman submits the sporting trophy (e.g. antlers) to a computerizedimaging system. In some cases this may be convenient where the sportsmancan simply bring the sporting trophy to the location of a scanningapparatus. However, in other situations, the sportsman and the scanningapparatus may be located hundreds if not thousands of miles from eachother.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of providing sporting trophy information to ascanning authority in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. At block 602, a sportsman obtains a kit for acquiring aphysical representation of a sporting trophy. The kit may comprise anymeans for creating a suitable representation of a sporting trophy. Inone embodiment, the kit facilitates creation of a negative mold of thesporting trophy. For example, in one embodiment, the sportsman isprovided with a molding compound and instructions to create a two-partkit that can form around the sporting trophy to generate a negativeimage thereof. In another embodiment, the kit includes a camera similarto that illustrated in FIG. 5. At block 604, the sportsman utilizes thekit to create a physical representation of the sporting trophy. Bock 604can include the mixing or preparation of the molding compound; placementof the sporting trophy within the prepared molding compound; and caringof the molding compound; and curing of the molding compound. Thephysical representation (e.g., the hardened or cured negative image ofthe sporting trophy) can then be shipped to the scanning entity, asindicated at block 606 without requiring the sportsman to part with hisor her sporting trophy. Those skilled in the art will recognize thatother methods and techniques for providing a physical representation ofthe sporting trophy to the scanning entity can be provided as well.

Although the present invention has been described with reference topreferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges may be made in form and detail without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

1. A method of generating digital data indicative of a sporting trophy,the method comprising: providing the sporting trophy to a computerizedscanner, the sporting trophy being any non-living biological specimenobtained by a sportsman while engaged in their sport; engaging thescanner to enable a free-formed scan of surfaces associated with thesporting trophy; generating three-dimensional image data indicative ofthe sporting trophy, the three-dimensional image data being athree-dimensional representation of the sporting trophy; storing thethree-dimensional image data on a computer readable medium; andgenerating a three-dimensional grid around the three-dimensionalrepresentation of the sporting trophy to provide a context for precisemeasurement, the three-dimensional grid divided into measurementportions that are sized to at least a hundredth of an inch.
 2. Themethod claim 1, wherein the sporting trophy is at least a portion of aset of antlers.
 3. The method of claim 1, and further comprisingcomputing at least one sporting-relevant measurement from thethree-dimensional data.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein thesporting-relevant measurement includes automatic calculation of volumeof the sporting trophy.
 5. The method of claim 3, and further comprisingdetermining a score based on the at least one sporting-relevantmeasurement.
 6. The method of claim 1, and further comprising generatingauthentication information corresponding to the digital data indicativeof the sporting trophy.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein theauthentication information is embodied on a certificate.
 8. The methodof claim 1, and further comprising generating a model of the sportingtrophy from the stored three-dimensional data.
 9. The method of claim 8,and further comprising manipulating the three-dimensional data prior togenerating the model.
 10. The method of claim 1, and wherein obtainingimage data indicative of the sporting trophy comprises obtaining atleast one two-dimensional image of the sporting trophy and at least onerange measurement.
 11. The method of claim 10, and further comprisinggenerating a three dimensional image of the sporting trophy based on aplurality of two-dimensional images.
 12. The method of claim 1, whereinproviding the sporting trophy to the scanner includes providing a kitconfigured to generate a physical representation of the sporting trophyand wherein the physical representation is provided to the scanner. 13.A method of generating a score relative to a sporting trophy, the methodcomprising: providing the sporting trophy to a computerized scanner, thesporting trophy being any non-living biological specimen obtained by asportsman while engaged in their sport; engaging the scanner to enable afree-formed scan of surfaces associated with the sporting trophy;generating three-dimensional digital data representative of the sportingtrophy, the three-dimensional image data being a three-dimensionalrepresentation of the sporting trophy; storing the three-dimensionaldata on a computer readable medium; generating a three-dimensional gridaround the three-dimensional representation of the sporting trophy toprovide a context for precise measurement, the three-dimensional griddivided into measurement portions that are sized to at least a hundredthof an inch; computing predetermined sporting-relevant measurements fromthe three-dimensional representation of the sporting trophy and thethree-dimensional grid; and computing a score based on thesporting-relevant measurements, the predetermined sporting-relevantmeasurements to compute provided by selected sporting trophy scoringsystems.